After tornadoes slammed Illinois Wednesday morning, the Federal Emergency Management Agency was asking impacted residents to adhere to instructions from local leaders and emergency officials.

Staff reports

After tornadoes slammed Illinois Wednesday morning, the Federal Emergency Management Agency was asking impacted residents to adhere to instructions from local leaders and emergency officials.

FEMA Regional Administrator Andrew Velasquez III said the agency has been in constant contact with officials at the Illinois Emergency Management Agency since the severe weather hit.

“We encourage residents in impacted areas to listen carefully to instructions from their local leaders and take the recommended protective measures to safeguard life and property while response efforts continue,” Velasquez said in a release.

He also expressed his condolences to the families of those injured or killed.